From Surviving to Thriving: Key Considerations for Weight Control Across Diverse Cancer Survivorship Populations.

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease of excess adiposity that increases the risk of dying from at least 16 types of cancer. The prevalence of obesity has increased more rapidly in cancer survivors compared with the general population. Tailored weight management strategies are needed to improve prognosis and health outcomes in the growing population of cancer survivors. However, certain cancer survivor population subgroups require unique consideration when developing weight management strategies.

Methods: In a symposium convened by The Obesity Society during ObesityWeek 2023 titled "From Surviving to Thriving: Key Considerations for Weight Control Across Diverse Cancer Survivorship Populations," experts presented the current state of the science and highlighted existing research gaps.

Results: Topics included key considerations for weight management in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, older adult cancer survivors, and understudied cancer survivor subgroups at high risk for poor health outcomes and innovative interventions that can be tested to improve cancer survivorship.

Conclusions: This report reviews the symposium and offers perspectives from the expert panel about unique opportunities for future research on tailored weight management strategies to equitably improve prognosis and health outcomes in the diverse and growing population of cancer survivors.